Ask the VT Senate to rein in abusive federal agents
We've been active supporters of S.208 (Law Enforcement Identification -no masks) and S.209 (No civil arrests in sensitive locations). Thanks in no small part to your messages to the Senate Judiciary Committee, these bills are on their way to a vote by the full Senate. So, find your senators' contact info and call or write to make sure they know where you stand on ICE in our towns. Perhaps something like this:
Re: S.208 & S.209
Dear [Sen. __________],
I’m writing today to express my support for S.208 (Law Enforcement Identification) and S.209 (No civil arrests in sensitive areas). These are the least we should do as a state to protect ourselves from the abusive practices of federal forces under the command of autocrats and fascists. I look forward to your vote on these measures. Thanks for all your hard work.
[Your name]
[Town]
More about these bills on Instagram. Your calls and messages really do make a difference!
Resist and Reimagine: Lessons from Minnesota on Fighting Authoritarianism
Thursday, February 12 | 07:00 PM
Online | Register here
Organizers and community members in Minnesota are transforming crisis into action and tragedy into solidarity. Join us for a conversation with labor and community leaders from Minnesota including Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and special guests. They’ll share practical lessons for fellow organizers on organizing in the midst of crisis, rapid response, economic solidarity actions, and how Minnesota’s experience can help other communities prepare to protect each other.
Civil Rights Lobby Day
Friday, February 20th | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Vermont State Capitol | 115 State Street, Montpelier
Join us and our friends from the ACLU as we lobby the legislature to protect Democracy. This immersive day will include
- Information on how a bill becomes a law in Vermont, with an introduction to lobbying
- How to share your story with legislators
- A tour of the Vermont statehouse
- Opportunities to attend committee meetings and a Senate floor hearing
- Lunch with ACLU-VT staff and legislators
Sign up here.
Legislative Update
In addition to S.208 and S.209, we're following these bills:
H.208 - Data privacy and online surveillance. (Not to be confused with S.208 - Law Enforcement Identification).
Assigned to the House Committee on Commerce. No action taken yet.
The key issue is whether consumers will have to actively opt out to get protections or whether businesses will need to get your permission to use your data. How does this connect to Democracy? Right now, the Federal Government is buying data about Americans from data brokers to support online surveillance and harass Trump's enemies.
H.742 - Providing legal representation in federal immigration proceedings.
Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. No action taken yet.
This bill authorizes $1,000,000 to establish a program to provide legal assistance to persons detained in Vermont in connection with federal immigration proceedings.
Stay tuned for action updates!
Save the date: NO KINGS DAY is Saturday March 28
We're working with others around the state and the country to make this the biggest peaceful day of protest ever! Watch this space for details.
Sharing is ...Resisting!
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